Hey all! I'm not sure if this has been done before or not. My retractable antenna was bent, broken and not doing much for retracting anymore so I figured out a way with some hardware to make this work. I figured I would make a post anyway in case others want to do this.
I started with buying a 4th gen stubby antenna.
Link: https://www.cravenspeed.com/the-orig...oyota-4runner/
It says it fits 02s, but it definitely does not so don't order thinking it will work.
Parts used:
(QTY: 1) #10-32 6" Threaded Rod
(QTY: 2) #10-32 Coupler
(QTY: 2) #10-32 Jam Nut
(QTY: 2) #10-32 Flat Washer
Step 1:
Remove the nut on the base of the antenna
Step 2:
Remove the retractable antenna motor by unscrewing/clipping the fender liner in the wheel well
Step 3:
Cut the bottom of the antenna stem off. I cut about 5" from the top of the antenna (the part you unthreaded the top nut off of).
Step 4:
Take the antenna, unscrew the little short threaded rod that comes with it. With a washer against the antenna followed by the coupler, followed by the jam nut, thread the rod into the antenna until it stops. Once you find that point, tighten the jam nut against the coupler to lock it in place.
Step 5:
Take the other coupler nut and thread it on the bottom of the threaded rod. Put that assembly you've made, with the threaded rod and antenna, through the base of the antenna that you cut. Thread the coupler nut down far enough to be flush with the cut you made (it is not flush in the pic, so you can see what I'm talking about).
Step 6:
Put the other washer you have onto the threaded rod after the coupler nut. It should be just about the same diameter as the antenna base/tube. Then thread on the jam nut on top of that washer and tighten it down.
Step 7:
Remove the stubby antenna and washer from the top of the threaded rod. The threaded rod will fall out, so you can tape it in place if you want to, I just held it in place. Now you're ready to put the antenna assembly back up through the fender. While pushing the antenna back up through the fender, put that top chrome antenna nut back on and tighten it down so that the top of the coupler nut is flush with it (not flush in pic).
Step 8:
Put the washer on top of the chrome antenna nut and screw on the stubby antenna until it's tight. BAM! Now you have a stubby antenna on your 3rd gen! My reception works just as good as before with no issues!
Thanks for reading, I hope this helps someone!
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2002 Sport Edition Build - 17" Pro Comp Series 40 Wheels - Pro Comp 285/70R17 AT Tires - 3" Toytec Lift Coils, Bilstein 5100 Fronts, OME Rear Coils, Pro Comp Nitrogen Rear Shocks - 1" Toytec Front Diff Drop - Wheelers Off Road SS 4" Extended Rear Brake Lines -
Stubby Antenna Mod